The UK stock market's benchmark index FTSE 100 fell on Friday, sliding after two successive days of gains, as worries about Middle East tensions, and a lack of positive outcome from the U.S.-China summit hurt sentiment.
Investors also followed the developments on the political front where Andy Burnham moved closer to a potential bid for prime minister, with MP Josh Simons saying he would step aside for the Manchester mayor.
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May 08, 2026 15:50 ET Manufacturing and services sector survey results and labor market data from main economies were the highlight on the economics news front this week. Factory orders and jobs report dominated the news flow in the U.S. Similarly, industrial production data from German garnered attention in Europe. In Asia, purchasing managers’ survey results from China and the central bank decision from Australia were in focus.